18 Comments
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Janisse Ray's avatar

You have a permanent place in my heart.

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Mary Dansak's avatar

That means so much. Le sigh. Thank you!

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Ray Zimmerman's avatar

Love this column.

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Mary Dansak's avatar

Thank you Ray.

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Laura Fissinger's avatar

My heart jumps up. Kids and books = a much better future.

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Mary Dansak's avatar

I agree, Laura! And there are so many good books out there. And good kids.

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SassafrasaRage's avatar

I love this! I'm also from a bookish family. By the by, Great Granddaddy Steve is my neighbor and I love him too. He shares his native plant seeds with me and gives me encouragement on my garden every time he's out for his walk and I'm out in the yard.

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Mary Dansak's avatar

Well how cool is this!!!

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Lizzie Hudson's avatar

Every single word is exquisite and resonant with my life and that of my own kids', who also were almost conceived at the library and even now, as young adults, are bound to books and books still bind us together. Oh, the Auburn Library, next to the Village Theater! Yes, we sprawled on the floor and I remember the thrill of searching in the adult reading section with my grandmother for the first time. And reading all those names before mine on the library cards, like a primitive Facebook tool for connections. Thank you, Mary.

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Mary Dansak's avatar

Thank you, Lizzie! I'm sure you and I were dropped off at that library a time or two while our parents went out and did whatever mysterious things grown-ups did back then.

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Nancy Friedland's avatar

So sweet.

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Catherine Richards's avatar

You know, Lassie Come Home was a favorite when I was a kid. I cannot read the book or watch the movie now. I understand what you mean about those stories. I was given a huge break $$ on the original Black Stallion series, cover art & all...I'll never read them again. We change as our experience changes, doesn't mean we love them any less.

Keep writing, we'll keep reading & dream of all those wonderful libraries!

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Mary Dansak's avatar

Oh Lassie, Come Home! So much!

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Jenny Wright's avatar

Oh for the love of books! The growing up years you describe in your bookish household is much the same as my sister and I. We did not have TV (thank goodness, still don't) and read books voraciously. Both of us probably read all the young girl horse books that ever were, and grown up girl horse books, too. Thank you for this post in honor of books!

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Mary Dansak's avatar

I think between us we wore the card catalogue thin in the H section!!

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Jenny Wright's avatar

Yes😂

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Becki Clifton's avatar

I just renewed my library card yesterday in hopes of library outings with my grandboys. I came from a bookish family as well but married into a non-bookish family. I’ve nurtured my own love of books through the years & read nightly to my son growing up. Bookish folks are my kind of folks. Thanks Mary!

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Jenny Wright's avatar

Yay for keeping your love of books well and strong in a non-bookish family!

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